Wilderness: Stingray Sting

• Stingray Sting Overview
• Stingray Sting Symptoms
• Stingray Sting Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Stingray Sting Overview

Stingrays have flat bodies with long, slender tails that have serrated spines. Their serrated spines can cause lacerations (cuts) and puncture wounds. The spines also contain venom. Stingrays are widely distributed in tropical to temperate waters. They are not aggressive, so an injury from a stingray usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one. Stingray stings are one of the most common dive- and beach-related injuries.

Stingray Sting Symptoms

• The person feels immediate, sharp, excruciating pain that peaks in 1-2 hours.



• The wound bleeds.



• The wounded area may become swollen and may turn blue or red.



• Lymph nodes may become swollen.



• Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, muscle cramps, tremors, paralysis, fainting, seizures, elevated heart rate, and decreased blood pressure may develop. Death may even occur.

Stingray Sting Treatment

If medical attention is not readily available, the following guidelines are recommended in treating a stingray sting:

• Flush the wound with fresh water.


• For pain relief, soak the wound in water as hot as the person can tolerate.


• Use tweezers to remove the stingers.


• Scrub the wound with soap and fresh water.


• Do not cover the wound with tape or close it with stitches. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.


• Apply topical antibiotic ointment if signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat, occur.


• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

Oral antibiotics are usually recommended for infection.

• Continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared.


• Let the doctor know about any drug allergy prior to starting an antibiotic.


• Use a sunscreen because some antibiotics may cause sensitivity to the sun.

When to Seek Medical Care

• Most stingray injuries require immediate medical attention.



• A doctor should be consulted about treatment with available medications.

For More Information

Web Links

Seacave.com, Treatment Procedures for Venomous Bites and Stings of Marine Animals

MedlinePlus, Stingray

Synonyms and Keywords

wilderness: stingray sting, stingray envenomation, fish attack, stingray injury, fish sting

Authors and Editors

Author: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Editors: N Stuart Harris, MD, MFA, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; James Kimo Takayesu, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital.




Last Editorial Review: 8/10/2005